State of Emergency declared in Utah as Cottonwood Fire grows to largest active wildfire in U.S.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared a State of Emergency and temporarily expanded the state forester's authority to restrict fireworks through July 5, 2026, after the Cottonwood Fire grew into the largest active wildfire in the United States. The fire had burned about 29 000 ha (71 841 acres) in Beaver County and remained 0% contained as extreme fire weather fueled rapid growth across southern Utah on Friday, June 26. Source